Jermain Defoe has targeted a return to the Tottenham team in time for the derby against Arsenal on March 3.

Defoe damaged ankle ligaments in the win at West Brom earlier this month but is now able to walk without the aid of a protective boot and Standard Sport understands he is optimistic he will be able to face the Gunners at White Hart Lane in 19 days’ time.

Sources at Spurs even believe the forward, who was struggling to rediscover his best goalscoring form before sustaining the injury at The Hawthorns, could be available for the return leg of the Europa League last-32 tie against Lyon, which takes place in France a week on Thursday.

Yet with Defoe one of only two senior forwards available, it seems unlikely that Andre Villas-Boas would take the risk of bringing back the 30-year-old too early. Defoe is desperate to return as quickly as possible and could even make himself available for the match at West Ham on February 25 but the derby is a more realistic target.

There is also good news in defence for Spurs, where centre-back Younes Kaboul believes he could be challenging again for a first-team place within three weeks.

Kaboul, who has not played since the opening game of the season, underwent knee surgery last summer but he was due to resume training with the first-team squad this week.